Needle-retaining spool



Oct. 2, 1951 LOCANTORE NEEDLE-RETAINING SPOOL Filed Feb. 4, 1949 zzvmvroze. Lows LOCANTORE Patented Oct. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Louis Locantore, New York, N. Y.

Application February 4, 1949, Serial No. 74,669

The subject matter of this invention relates to an improvement in thread spools, and achieves the object of providing a thread spool with a needle retaining device for the reception and temporary retention of needles securely upon the thread spool.

In the past it has been customary to insert needles, when not in use, into the thread wound about the spool, to secure the needles until further use of needle and thread. This practice has resulted in lacerating the thread, and often cutting and otherwise damaging the thread so that in subsequent use it does not have its original strength. After a continuation of this practice the threadremaining on the spool becomes unfit for use. The needle itself, insecurely affixed by such means, is often lost, and more often rendered unfit for further use as a result of OXidEL- tion from moisture on the thread.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a needle containerlocated within the bore of the thread spool, and which will retain the needle or needles firmly until required for further use, without damage to the needle or the thread.

Another object of this invention is to provide a needle receptacle which can be manufactured at very small cost and in an economical manner.

A third object is the provision of a needle receptacle which protects the needles so that the points cannot come into contact with any objects that can dull their keenness.

A further object is the provision of a receptacle which can be removed from the thread spool when the thread has been completely used up, and secured to a new spool of corresponding size, for further use if desired.

Other salient objects, advantages and functional features will be more readily appreciated from the detailed specification, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective elevation of a thread spool, showing the needle receptacle constructed according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1, of thread spool with inserted core, showing core and needle in position within the spool.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inner core.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a practical method of insertion of core into spools.

Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views of other forms of cores adaptable for identical use.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the different views.

Illustrative of the embodiment shown and disclosed by Fig. 1, my invention consists of the customary type of thread spool I having a hollow central bore 2 extending longitudinally throughout, and having sewing thread wound about the body portion, the central bore 2 being of sufficient diameter to be adapted to fit over a sewing ma 6 Claims. (Cl. 223-109) chine spindle or other holding means new used for thread spools. A hollow cylindrical core 4, composed of a firm but resilient material, is inserted within the central bore 2. This core may be of the same longitudinal length as the central bore 2 of the spool, or shorter. The core 4 may be composed of a form of plastic, rubber or any other substance which will achieve the desired result. The'outer diameter of the cylindrical core 4, in normal condition, is slightly larger than the diameter of the central bore 2, and is therefore inserted by applying a slight tensional force upon the extremities of the core while inserting it into the central bore 2, and then releasing the extremities so that, in tending to assume its normal size, the core presses against the sides and walls of the central bore and is kept firmly in position by pressure and friction.

The needle 5 is then forced, point foremost, between the outer surface of the core 4 and the wall 3 of the central bore 2 of the thread spool. The pressure of the resilient core 4 will thus retain the needle 5 firmly. secured between said core and the wall 3 of the central bore of the spool until the needle may be desired for further use.

It is to be noted that a. plurality of needles of the same or different sizes may be so secured to the spool at the same time, and when any needle is removed the resilient core 4 presses back flush with the walls of the central bore, thus reoccup-ying the space vacated by the removal of the needle therefrom. It is further to be noted, that when a needle is so inserted, and at all times while it remains within the thread spool, its point does not come in contact with any object and the keen-.

as the central bore of the spool, it is obvious that this core may be shorter than the central bore, and achieve the same result.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 1, taken on lines 2-2 thereof, and shows the core 4 firmly secured to the central bore 2, except where displaced by needle 5 as previously described.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2, and shows the displacement made by needle 5.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the hollow, resilient core 4. This core is required to have Sullicient firmness and resiliency so that it may be displaced without too much pressure, and yet return promptly to its normal shape when the pressure of the needle is removed, at all times resistent to the applied force or pressure; For this reason it may be composed of any material which will achieve this result, for example, a resilient plastic, rubber compound, etc.- The thickness of the core may vary in accordance with the qualities of the material used. For example, in using a plastic a thickness of of an inch or less may be satisfactory.

Figs. 6 and 7 show different embodiments of my invention, which may be used to provide for a retention of a needle, within the spirit of my invention.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a, modification consisting of a thin layer of firm and resilient plastic material in .the shape of a rectangle, which is rolled into a hollow cylinder whose sides l2 are inapposition asshown. When this cylinder is inserted into the central bore of the spool it presses against the walls of the bore in the same manner as the .coreshown in Fig. 1 and with the same effect.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a, further modification of myinvention, consisting of a spiral 1.3 of fine wire or plastic material with a diameter ,s1ightly larger than the central bore of the spool, which, after insertion into the central bore in the manner previously described, will perform the same function as core 4 shown in Fig. 1.

In either form of construction the core actsby its pressure against the walls of the central bore to retain the needle firmly.

In a usual form of spool manufacture th spools are fashioned from a long wood .rod with a hollow central bore as shown by Fig. 5. After being so fashioned they are cut into individual spools through the centers of raised portions 6., and finished. As an economical method .of manufacturing my invention the core 4, as shown in Fig. 1, may be inserted into the spools before they are out from the stock.

This is accomplished by securing a wire ill, by means of a hook H to the end of a long cylinder of the resilient core material -9, and drawing the entire-cylinder into the central bore 8 of the stock. By retaining a slight tension on the free end of the cylinder '9 and exerting sufiicient tension on the end secured by hook H, the cylinder will be slightly extended so as to reduce its diameter below that of the central bore 8 and in this way pass easily into said bore. After thecylinder 9 has been drawn completely into the bore :8 the wire hook H is removed and the tension released. This will cause the core 9 to resume its normal size, press firmly against the walls of the central bore and remain secured thereto by friction and pressure. spools may then be cut from the stock in the usual process.

It is manifestly apparent that my invention is superior to and has many distinct advantages over any heretofore constructed needle receptacles.

' Various changes may be made in the steps of construction .and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any ofthe advantages thereof inherent therein.

I claim:

1. In combination, a thread-carrying spool having a central longitudinal bore extending throughout the spool to the spool ends, and a needle holder consisting .of a thin hollow core of firm, resilient material, resistant to penetration, positioned within the central bore and adapted to engage the walls of the central bore by pressure and friction, for securing the temporary re- After this has been accomplished the r 4 tention of needles and the like forced between the wall of the central bore of the spool and the exterior surface of the firm, resilient core.

2. In combination, a thread-carrying spool having a central longitudinal bore extending throughout the spool to the spool ends, and a needle holder consisting of a thin hollow core of firm, resilient plastic material, resistant to penetration, positioned within the central bore and adapted to engage the walls of the central bore by pressure and friction, for securing the temporary retention of needles and the like forced between the wall of the central bore of the spool and the exterior surface of the plastic core.

3. In combination, a thread-carrying spool having a central longitudinal bore extending throughout the spool to the spool ends, and a needle holder consisting of a thin hollow core of firm, resilient rubber material positioned within the central bore and adapted to engage the walls of the central bore by pressure and friction, for securing the temporary retention of needles and the like forced between the wall of the central bore of the spool and the exterior surface of the rubber core.

4. In combination, a thread-carrying spool having a central longitudinal bore extending throughout the spool to the spool ends, and a needle holder consisting of a thin hollow cylindrical core of firm, resilient material, resistant to penetration, having open ends flush with the spool ends, positioned within the central bore, extending therethrough and adapted to engage the walls of the central bore throughout by pressure and friction, for securing the temporary retention of needles and the like forced between the wall of the central bore and the exterior surface of the core.

5. In combination, a thread-carrying spool having a central longitudinal bore extending throughout the spool to the spool ends, and a needle holder consisting of a thin hollow, cylin: drical core of firm, resilient plastic material, .resistant to penetration, having open ends flush with the spool ends, positioned within the cen'-' tral bore, extending therethrough and adapted to engage the walls of the central bore throughout by pressure and friction, for securing the temporary retention of needles and the like forced between the wall of the central bore and the .exterior surface of the core.

6. In combination, a thread-carrying spool having a central longitudinal bore extending throughout the spool to the spool ends, and a LOUIS LOCANTORE.

REFERENCES orrsn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

STATES PATENTS Number Date Name 752,536 Duncombe :Feb. 16, 19.94: 922,893 Hawkes May 25, 1909 2,040,289 Adams May 12, 1936 

